Although awareness about identity theft is on the rise due to the continual advancement in technology and increased use of that technology to store and pass on personal information, it still occurs on a large scale. Identity theft when vacationing is especially common because thieves take advantage of unwary travelers who are distracted and in unfamiliar territory.

What Is Identity Theft?

Identity theft is the act of retrieving your personal information by anyone who has the intent of fraudulently using it. Personal information is obtained by criminals in many ways and they are continually devising new methods that are less detectable or more deceiving.

Some of the most common ways for thieves to steal your identity are retrieving trashed items, stealing your mail, hacking into your computer files, using phishing emails, pop-ups and attachments, using credit card and ATM card skimmers, and placing hidden cameras on or near ATMs.

Most people have that “it won’t happen to me” attitude. However, according to a Javelin Strategy and Research survey, roughly 12.6 million American victims were hit by identity theft in 2012 alone. Once your identity has been stolen and used either by the thief or those to whom they sell it, considerable damage can be caused to your credit rating and it can take a great deal of effort to get things set straight.

Ways to Protect Your Identity

Due to the extreme damage and hassle that can result from identity theft, it is beneficial to take precautionary steps to protect from ID theft rather than to have to deal with the aftermath, especially when traveling on vacations when thieves are more actively seeking victims. Here are some ways to keep from being an ID theft victim and preventing your happy vacation from becoming a horrible nightmare.

Secure Your Mail. When creating your to-do list for vacation travel, be sure to add a bullet point for the Post Office to hold your mail. This is easily done by filling out a short slip at the Post Office that instructs them to hold your mail until your return, or you can specify a date of delivery reactivation. You should not depend on a door mail slot or neighbors to gather your mail as criminals who know you are gone will wait for opportunities to grab important documents containing your information.

Avoid Using Credit Cards. Credit cards are quite convenient and are used extensively on vacations. However, thieves know this and go to great lengths to steal your credit card information. Credit crooks can use skimmers in place of real credit card machines that capture credit card numbers and PINs and they can even hack into hotel, restaurant, or other business databases and steal personal information in bulk. The best way to avoid having your credit card information stolen while on vacation is to avoid using them. Instead, use cash or, better still, traveler’s checks.

Be Cautious Online. Although online identity theft dangers exist anywhere, they are particularly prevalent while on vacation. The reason is that people mostly use laptops, mobile devices, and even Internet Cafés and hotel computer rooms to conduct online business. Such devices and locations are easily manipulated by hackers and ID thieves to obtain personal information. Therefore, avoid sending sensitive information over such devices while on vacation and, if you require doing so such as to pay bills, be sure to use sites that have current SSL certificates and secured connections.

Scrutinize ATMs. Acquiring cash during vacation is a common practice and ATMs are the go-to sources because of their convenience. However, criminals can install card skimmers and place cameras in or near such machines that capture numbers and PINs. offshore centre To avoid being victimized, only use ATMs in well populated areas and look machines over before using and avoid any ATMs that appear to have been tampered with (i.e. scratches, bulky out-of-place adaptations, and other signs on or around readers, viewers, entry points, etc).

Hire a Professional Watchdog. You might also hire a company to monitor your credit activity while you are on vacation. Such companies closely monitor all activities and make you aware of any suspicious entries which can be challenged and stopped immediately, thus preventing long-term harm.

Amy Johnson is an active blogger who is fond of sharing interesting finance related articles to encourage people to manage and protect their finances.

]]>http://www.onlinesecurityauthority.com/id-theft/keep-it-locked-when-you-are-vacationing-identity-theft/feed/04 Things Identity Thieves Search For On Your Blog or Social Websitehttp://www.onlinesecurityauthority.com/online-security-authority/4-identity-thieves-search-blog/
http://www.onlinesecurityauthority.com/online-security-authority/4-identity-thieves-search-blog/#respondSat, 09 Nov 2013 07:12:32 +0000http://www.onlinesecurityauthority.com/?p=3075Identity thieves can wreak havoc on your personal and financial life and it only takes a few pieces of information for them to do so. In a world that is connected by media and technology, identity thieves are using these as tools to get at your information. Your social media sites such as Facebook, MySpace, and personal websites can be a treasure trove for these thieves.

There are four key types of information they will look for on your media sites and, if they get any of the information, it can make it much easier for them to steal your identity. Knowing what they are after is the first step in protecting yourself. How do identity thieves use your information? Read on to find out what they need from you and how they will use it against you.

1. Personal Information

One of the key bits of information a thief needs to steal your identity is your personal info, and social media sites are a great place for them to find a lot of this fairly easily. It is surprising how many people post all of their personal information on their website bio pages. This is not a good idea, as it creates a one stop spot for thieves to gather these important bits of information. You should change your privacy settings so nothing gets posted without your permission. Set your website and profile to private so only your friends can see the information you share, and even then, share only what you absolutely need to share. Be very discriminating about accepting friend requests when you do not know the individual personally. Some thieves will create an account and send out friend requests in order to look at the information available on accounts of people who accept the request. Avoid listing information such as your address, phone number, birth date and year, mother’s maiden name, and any other sensitive information.

2. Schedules and Routines

Another great tip for how to avoid identity theft is to never share your travel plans over any of your social media sites. In many instances you risk not just your identity being stolen, but other possessions as well. When you let people on media sites know when you are leaving for trips and for how long, it is as if you are laying out a welcome mat for thieves. Identity thieves can use this time to break in, rifle through files, break into safes, and take any valuable they can. Never be specific about exactly where you live, when you are gone, and what your normal schedule is.

Even things, such as posting your school or work schedule or mentioning how late you will be at work each day for the week, might invite thieves to break in. If this sort of information must be shared with people, do so in private posts or chats or emails, not where everyone who views your page can see it.

3. Passwords

Many people know it is important tomonitor your credit score to help guard against identity theft, but it is also equally important to monitor and guard your passwords. Make sure you do not save your password when using a public computer, a shared computer, or a laptop. Many sites automatically check this option when you sign in, so you need to be extra vigilant about ensuring your password is never saved. The danger with saving the log in information is if you do not log out properly, or even in some cases, if you have logged out completely, if someone else visits that site they can log back in and view your information. Do not use the same password on multiple accounts because, if a hacker breaks one, he will likely try to use that same password on any other site or account he or she knows you have. Also, be sure you never write down or share your log in information, passwords, account numbers, PINS or other log in information with anyone.

4. Employers, Favorite Stores, and Restaurants

It is a little harder for thieves to get valuable information with these, but it is still an area to be cautious with. If you mention where you work, what department, and who your boss is, there are two basic ways a thief can try to use this information. They can go to your place of work and rifle through the dumpster to try and find any important papers you may have thrown out while at work. Or they can send you calls and emails pretending to be someone from your job asking you to update your personal or financial information for their records. offshore centre If you talk a lot about your favorite stores, restaurants, or shopping trips, the thief can also send you calls and emails to try and get your information by offering you store credit, sales, discounts, and other promotions from these locations. So be careful about how much information you share on those social media sites.

The following are some tips for avoiding identity theft from the FBI:

Never throw away financial papers and records in a readable form.

Do a credit check on a regular basis to monitor for unauthorized activity.

Never give out information over the telephone unless you initiated the call.

Reconcile bank accounts and notify them of discrepancies immediately.

Keep a telephone number of who to call for the loss or theft of your wallet, credit cards, etc.

Report unauthorized activity on any account or report as soon as you detect them.

Review a copy of your credit report at least once each year.

If someone is getting credit lines or loans in the names of others, report it to law enforcement authorities.

Amy Johnson is an active blogger who is fond of sharing interesting finance related articles to encourage people to manage and protect their finances.

]]>http://www.onlinesecurityauthority.com/online-security-authority/4-identity-thieves-search-blog/feed/0Smartest ways to Reduce the Damage by ID Theft!http://www.onlinesecurityauthority.com/id-theft/smartest-ways-reduce-damage-identity-theft/
http://www.onlinesecurityauthority.com/id-theft/smartest-ways-reduce-damage-identity-theft/#respondTue, 15 Oct 2013 05:47:34 +0000http://www.onlinesecurityauthority.com/?p=3061It is hard to be a victim of identity theft. Some credit card companies and banks may be able to sympathize and give leeway but there would be some victims who may be looked upon with suspicion. This is why the first thing that you must do if you fall victim to one is to reduce the damage and control the identity theft effects. By doing so, you would be able to at least eliminate some of the problems that this instance may bring to you and still be able to prove your credit worthiness.

Based on the American Federal Trade Commission (FTC), those credit card victims who were sufficiently significant in observing that something was afoot in their personal banking are the ones who suffered more. These consumers are able to immediately freeze their bank accounts and credit cards. On about 90% of these cases, all forms of illegal trading are being dried up on the spot.

With these measures, the credit card companies are prevented from charging their customers more than $50 on their purchases which are made illegally under their account. By doing something like this, they would be able to protect themselves from possible identity theft culprits.

In reporting the incident, you would need to fill up a fraud affidavit so that you may cut off your transaction in your previous card and a new one would be released under your name. This would then be part of your paper trail for your future reference. To immediately cater to your concern, just go and visit your nearest bank so that they would be able to resolve the issue immediately.

Banks typically have fraud department which could aid you look for solutions to your problem and would secure your funds immediately so that lesser damage would be incurred to your account by the criminals. offshore centre Keep in mind that the longer it takes for you to report the loss, the less help and support you would get from your financial institution.

If you already fall victim to identity fraud, a hundred percent assurance that you could prevent credit fraud or that nothing will be lost from you is not guaranteed. There would still be some damages that you may be incurred especially if you would fall victim to professional criminals who are already aware of possible measures that you may take to prevent them from taking advantage of your account.

In this case, prevention is still the better solution for you to avoid, if not, lessen the damage caused by identity theft. Will credit monitoring prevent fraud? Yes, it could especially if you would be able to practice it well or enroll in some intuitions that offers guaranteed service.

It is advisable for you to practice credit monitoring or if you have the means, enroll your account in a credit monitoring service which could better aid you in protecting yourself from identity theft. This also serves as insurance that should anything happen and go wrong, you would be able to immediately ask for their assistance in correcting the problem before it totally gets out of hand.

Amy Johnson is an active finance blogger who is fond of sharing interesting finance related articles to encourage people to manage and protect their finances.

]]>http://www.onlinesecurityauthority.com/id-theft/smartest-ways-reduce-damage-identity-theft/feed/0What Happens if my Social Security Card Gets Lost?http://www.onlinesecurityauthority.com/id-theft/social-security-card-lost/
http://www.onlinesecurityauthority.com/id-theft/social-security-card-lost/#respondSun, 05 May 2013 03:59:26 +0000http://www.onlinesecurityauthority.com/?p=3049Losing any of your personal belongings, particularly your credit cards and social security cards, is an alarming scenario that usually triggers panic and hysteria. For most people, paying the price for losing any of these very important materials has been a troublesome ordeal, especially with the need to go after unnamed identity thieves and trying to recover whatever they have taken away from you.

A (SSN) is important because you need it to fulfill a variety of things. You need one to get a job, to collect Social Security benefits, and receive some other government services, as well as apply for certain services from other businesses, such as banks and credit companies.This is why losing your social security card can spell doom, most of the time.

According to a February 2009 study by the fraud tracking firm Javelin Strategy and Research, “lost or stolen wallets, checkbooks and credit and debit cards made up 43 percent of all ID theft incidents in the United States in which the method of access was known.”

The dangers of identity theft

In 2011, more than 11.6 million individuals had become victims of identity theft in the United States. This is according to the 2012 Identity Fraud Industry Report conducted by fraud-tracking firm Javelin Strategy and Research.

Identity theft is a crime that occurs when someone steals your personal information, such as your name, Social Security number, or credit card number, then without your permission uses that information or card to make an illegal purchase or conduct a fraudulent transaction. The report by Javelin Strategy and Research also shares that, despite repeated warnings about the hazards of social networks as a great resource for fraudsters, “consumers are still sharing a significant amount of personal information frequently used to authenticate a consumer’s identity.”

“While identity fraud incidence increased in 2011, it is becoming less profitable for fraudsters. Consumers, the financial services industry, law enforcement and government agencies are stopping fraud earlier and making new account fraud more difficult to perpetrate,” said James Van Dyke, president and founder of Javelin Strategy & Research.

What to do when you lose your SSN?

The first thing to do when you realize you’ve lost your social security card is to immediately file an application for a social security card (form SS-5) from the Social Security Department. This is a 4-page form that asks for basic personal information such as your name, date and place of birth, citizenship and your mother’s maiden name. File this form and present two valid forms of identification, such as a live passport or driver’s license, to help authorities verify the facts that you have just presented in your SS-5 form.

If any of these valid IDs are unavailable, you can consult a list of other materials provided by the agency for other forms of identification that you can provide instead.

Identity theft risks through lost security cards have been a common problem for many people. Here are a few things to keep in mind in order to prevent this kind of headache.

Avoid bringing your social security card wherever you go. Like your credit and debit cards, you need to ensure that your social security card is kept in a secure, locked place, preferably separated from your other identification forms. Take this out of your purse or wallet.

Take steps to report and recover your lost SSN card.Contact the Social Security office immediately to file for a replacement card.

File a credit freeze in your account. This will help you keep your credit account safe and secure from identity thieves. Someone who has been using your personal information through your lost social security card won’t be able to secure credits using your name if your account is frozen. Not all U.S. states allow credit freezes, however, so you’ll want to check the specific rules for the state in which you live.

Place a fraud alert on your credit file. A wallet or a purse that has gone missing for several hours already has probably landed in another person’s pocket. Contact your credit provider a few hours after you lose your social security card and ask to have your credit card blocked. offshore centre This will protect you from any untoward incident that may result from fraudulent transactions traced back to your name.

Close any account that you suspect has been used fraudulently. Keep in mind that the best way to combat identity theft is a deliberate action to protect your name and your welfare. What other measures do you do to safeguard your identity?

Amy Johnsonis an active blogger who is fond of sharing interesting finance related articles to encourage people to manage and protect their finances. She also covers topics on how to prevent identity theft fraud that can help people prevent credit scams and identity fraud.

]]>http://www.onlinesecurityauthority.com/id-theft/social-security-card-lost/feed/0How to spot an email or phishing scam…http://www.onlinesecurityauthority.com/id-theft/spot-email-phishing-scam/
http://www.onlinesecurityauthority.com/id-theft/spot-email-phishing-scam/#respondWed, 03 Apr 2013 05:36:19 +0000http://www.onlinesecurityauthority.com/?p=3039Developments in technology over the years have made a lot of tasks – both major ones and trivial things – easier to accomplish. The Internet is among these developments whose evolution has made performing a number of tasks more convenient. With a click of your mouse, you can accomplish tasks which you could only do before by being physically present in stores, banks and other establishments.

Along with the convenience the Internet brings though is the risk of falling prey to scams and fraudsters. Since most people do almost everything electronically and online, cybercriminals consider the Internet the prime place to find their victims. One of the popular ways that criminals use to look for their victims is through email phishing scams.

Phishing is the act of acquiring sensitive personal information from you through an email sent by a criminal posing as someone else. The purpose of getting your personal details is to either scam you or steal your identity. Usually, an email phishing scam asks for your Social Security number, credit card and bank details, date of birth, account names and passwords, and other identifying personal information. If you don’t know how to properly protect your privacy online, then there’s a big chance that you’ll get scammed or defrauded.

To avoid becoming a victim and to protect against email scams, you should at least know how to spot an email scam. Here are some telltale signs indicating that what you have in your inbox is a phishing email:

1) Weblinks – Some of these emails might contain a clickable link that either downloads a file into your computer or leads you to another site that asks for personal and banking details. If the site it leads to asks you to fill out a form with your personal information, this could probably be a phishing scam. Most companies and businesses never ask their customers to provide sensitive information (such as your SS number, credit card details, account pins and passwords) through online forms or emails.

2) Grammar or spelling mistakes – Legitimate businesses normally have a team of copy editors to ensure that their ads and other communication are error-free. If you receive a letter laden with grammar and spelling mistakes as well as typo errors from a supposedly legitimate company, it’s most probably a scam.

3) Threats – Emails that prompt you to perform an action related to your account (usually account verification) to prevent it from getting deactivated can possibly be a scam. Typically, cybercriminals would want you to verify your credit card account by providing your username, password and pin so they can use your details to steal your identity and commit fraud.

4) Attachments – It should be common practice not to download any email attachment if it comes from an unknown individual or company. Many hackers use this method to trick their victims into downloading and installing malware in their computers. The program then sends bits and pieces of sensitive personal information back to the hacker, making you vulnerable to identity theft and fraud.

5) Request for personal information. As mentioned, legitimate businesses and banks rarely ask for your personal details over email. If you get an email asking for these details, you should think twice about responding to the email with these details – or better yet, don’t respond at all.

6) Red-flag phrases. Phishing techniques evolve over time as people become familiar with the criminals’ tactics; however, these scammers use several phrases over and over even if their methods have changed. Being familiar with these red-flag phrases helps in email or phishing scam prevention.

7) Wordless emails. Instead of a URL or a long-winded mail, some scammers send you an image which is actually a link to their phishing website. Clicking anywhere on the image will either take you to their site or automatically download a malicious file.

8) Signatory. Legitimate businesses that send out emails to their clients would normally be signed by a representative. Along with the representative’s name, his position in the company should be stated, as well as his contact number or email. Email phishing scams would only sign the letter with [Company Name] Customer Support Department.

These are just some of the common things you’ll spot in an email phishing scam. Being able to recognize these will help prevent email scam. Generally, all phishing emails ask for your banking and personal details so that they can steal your identity and create accounts under your name. One of the best ways for email or phishing scam prevention is to refrain from signing up or giving out your email address to shady websites. offshore centre To avoid these scams, you have to protect your privacy online as well.

What other email or phishing scam techniques are you aware of? Share them with us by posting below.

Amy Johnson is an active blogger who is fond of sharing interesting finance related articles to encourage people to manage and protect their finances. She also covers tips on credit monitoring and credit protection that can help people prevent themselves from identity theft & credit fraud.

“The architecture of the Nation’s digital infrastructure, based largely upon the Internet, is not secure or resilient. … Our digital infrastructure has already suffered intrusions that have allowed criminals to steal hundreds of millions of dollars and nation-states and other entities to steal intellectual property and sensitive military information.”

The growing specter of cyber attacks is not just a worry for the nation’s warriors. Even as technological advancements offer benefits to businesses, organizations and individuals, they also bring challenges, particularly in safeguarding financial, health and other confidential information.

Since September 2009, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has reported almost 500 cases of healthcare data breaches, each involving at least 500 patients. Those breaches totaled almost 21 million health records.

Still, questions remain about the readiness of businesses and organizations to combat cyber attacks.

According to a September 2012 survey by the global security firm Kaspersky Lab, 50% of information technology specialists consider cyber threats to be the second-biggest danger to business. But fewer than 60% of survey respondents believe they are prepared to face a cyber threat, and less than one-third had heard of common threats such as the hacking tool SpyEye.

The 2012 National Cyber Security Awareness Month, which runs through October, will turn a spotlight on cyber threats on the domestic and international front. The annual event includes webcasts, conferences and free computer security checks, and is designed to educate the public about cyber threats and provide tips on staying safe online.

Cybersecurity Professionals in Demand

All of these factors are fueling demand for cybersecurity professionals. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a job growth rate of 22% for information security analysts from 2010 to 2020, much faster than the rate for all occupations. Healthcare providers and the federal government are expected to be major contributors to the increase in cybersecurity jobs.

In May 2011, the median annual wage for the category of workers that includes information security analysts was almost $78,000. The median for the top 10% was more than $124,800.

Among other duties, cybersecurity professionals monitor networks for attacks and other breaches, install encryption programs and firewalls, and develop security protocols.

Most cybersecurity professionals have at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science or programming. offshore centre However, the increasing complexity of cyber threats means more employers are likely to prefer candidates with advanced knowledge or training.

In 2012, the National Security Agency unveiled efforts to prepare college students for cybersecurity careers, introducing a National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations Program.

In addition, regionally accredited schools are adding degree programs geared specifically to information security. At Florida Tech University, for example, the Master of Science in Information Technology with a Specialization in Cybersecurity program is offered 100% online.

Whether the battlefield is corporate America or international terrorism, cybersecurity professionals are on the front lines in the struggle against hackers seeking to infiltrate the nation’s computer networks.

About the Author

Dafe Ojaide writes on information assurance and cyber security degree programs and careers for University Alliance on behalf of Florida Tech.

We would like to thank our guest writers on the Online Security Authority Blog! We feel it’s a honor and pleasure, to have others participate and contribute to the great content, advice and opinions on and in this Online World, we all live in… help us, help them, by supporting and visiting their sites!

]]>http://www.onlinesecurityauthority.com/thoughts-on-security/cyber-security-awareness-month/feed/0Secure File Sharing for Businesseshttp://www.onlinesecurityauthority.com/business-security/secure-file-sharing-data/
http://www.onlinesecurityauthority.com/business-security/secure-file-sharing-data/#respondWed, 19 Sep 2012 23:02:28 +0000http://www.onlinesecurityauthority.com/?p=2945From stone tablets to paper all the way to encrypted wireless transmissions, storing and sharing data has always been of supreme importance. As technology improves, we can send much more data across further distances with relative ease. While the security of this data is of minor importance if you are sending public information, for companies or individuals sending highly confidential data, secure data transfers is supremely important.

For many companies, these data transfers primarily take place via email. With millions, if not billions, of email conversations happening each and every day, it’s easy to have a schooling fish mentality – your messages will be ignored in the swirling masses. However, hackers cast a very wide net, and your emails could very well be swept up in them. Sometimes they target specific institutions, but many times email accounts are hacked out of third-party databases, and hackers can easily get the access they need to your system if it is poorly secured.

Because of this, companies both small and large are looking for a way to secure their email data transmissions. Secure file sharing has risen to provide this service. This type of data transmission removes the files from the top-level data transmission that is used for data that doesn’t require security, and places it in a ‘box type’ file-sharing solution. Your data ends ups in the right hands, every time, because it is not sent through an email server.

Some IT managers are hesitant to use this type of service for fear of added layers of complexity. Anticipating this, secure file sharing systems are designed to be as seamless as possible, simulating the simplicity of attaching a file to an email. The file is still sent via the email address you choose, eliminating additional logins or passwords to remember.

For employees who require even more layers of security, the most secure of file sharing solutions will provide data destruction dates, password requirements, and read receipts. offshore centre Designed with the highest level of military transmission in mind, these added features are also available to business professionals.

If your company’s data is of high importance, your security solutions should reflect that. Devote the proper resources needed to find a solution that fits your company and your data needs, so that it doesn’t end up in the competitions’ or hackers’ hands.

We would like to thank our guest writers on the Online Security Authority Blog! We feel it’s a honor and pleasure, to have others participate and contribute to the great content, advice and opinions on and in this Online World, we all live in… help us, help them, by supporting and visiting their sites!

]]>http://www.onlinesecurityauthority.com/business-security/secure-file-sharing-data/feed/0Is the Cloud Safe?http://www.onlinesecurityauthority.com/business-security/cloud-safe/
http://www.onlinesecurityauthority.com/business-security/cloud-safe/#respondFri, 23 Mar 2012 00:19:42 +0000http://www.onlinesecurityauthority.com/?p=2894Zappos was hacked and 24 million accounts were compromised. On the one hand, these incidents are cautionary tales that remind us to always be mindful of sensitive information and where it’s stored. On the other hand, we’re rapidly moving toward a world where that information will have to be stored somewhere other than on our devices’ hard drives, and so security measures must be likewise advanced.]]>Cloud computing has been heralded as the herald of the future. Considering the amount of data we already move everyday between mobile handsets, traditional computers, tablets and portable gaming devices, the only way to scale up the amount and speed of those data transfers are by storing them in a remote server and accessing them when necessary. The idea of the cloud has finally penetrated the mainstream, but critics are still unsure about how safe data is in the cloud.

There have been notable breaches of similar systems in recent memory: the hacking of the PlayStation Network a few years ago exposed millions of users’ data to unknown eyes. More recently, Zappos was hacked and 24 million accounts were compromised. On the one hand, these incidents are cautionary tales that remind us to always be mindful of sensitive information and where it’s stored. On the other hand, we’re rapidly moving toward a world where that information will have to be stored somewhere other than on our devices’ hard drives, and so security measures must be likewise advanced.

The question of whether the cloud is safe is difficult to answer with certainty, partly because it depends on whom you ask. A key point to understand is that every cloud service different, and each one has different security protocols.

It can be particularly nerve-racking for clients when two companies that don’t have a standard security protocol merger combine.

Such was the case last month when Rackspace, a leading provider of server hosting and cloud services, acquired Sharepoint911, a small but prolific group of ex-Microsoft Sharepoint consultants. The deal was borne out of Rackspace’s ongoing goal to become a market leader in Sharepoint implementation and a consultancy group (in addition to their seemingly endless other services).

The acquisition is a great deal for Rackspace because it’s another step on the road to expanding and dominating the market space they are in. But what about the consumer? Does the deal mean the haphazard trafficking of information back and forth through the ether, available to the wayward hacker who would have it?

Well, not really. In fact, snapping up Sharepoint911 helped customers, too. Absorbing the consulting firm gives Rackspace the expertise and know-how to address information breaches if they do happen. We can’t say for sure, but it’s reasonable to surmise that this will only be within the Sharepoint ecosystem.

Looking at the larger picture, it’s clear that cloud providers will likely install or train internal teams in cloud security measures so they can have the same level of expertise when cloud computing catches on with a firmer grip in the next five years.

Cloud providers can only sell their services if people trust those services are secure.

Therefore, heightened concern about security is forcing those providers to increase measures of safety even more than they already were. A successful attack on a cloud provider would be devastating in terms of compromised information, but potentially fatal for a business that may not be able to secure customers after a high profile breach.

So, is the cloud safe? Yes, but it’s not impenetrable. offshore centre As long as you keep your stored information limited to the songs in your music library, shareable documents and other general things, you’re all good. Just don’t go storing your credit card numbers, passwords or Doomsday codes in your iCloud account because as with everything else in the world, if someone wants it bad enough, they’ll get it.

We would like to thank our guest writers on the Online Security Authority Blog! We feel it’s a honor and pleasure, to have others participate and contribute to the great content, advice and opinions on and in this Online World, we all live in… help us, help them, by supporting and visiting their sites!

Symantec recently admitted that hackers stole their Norton Antivirus source code in 2006. The world’s largest security software vendor had previously blamed “YamaTough,” the hackers responsible for the infiltration, for the latest hack.

However, after further investigation, Symantec redacted their statement and admitted the hackers had infiltrated their own networks. Symantec later indicated that the hackers acquired 2006-era source code for Norton Antivirus Corporate edition, Norton SystemWorks (Norton Utilities and Norton GoBack), Norton Internet Security, and PCAnywhere.

“YamaTough” threatened to release 1.7 Gigabytes of source code for Norton Anti-Virus. However, the hackers later used Twitter to announce they would not release the code to the public until they were able to get all of the code.

What does this all mean to you, the consumer? If hackers are able to decipher Norton’s source code, they can use it to not only attack the company, but also attack the users of Norton’s security products. Should you be worried? The company stated that the customers using the most recent versions of their software did not face any threat of cyber-attacks from the hack. However, Symantec also stated that despite the age of the software, users of its PCAnywhere software faced a “slightly increased security risk”.

Unless Symantec were to write all new source code from scratch, elements of their code will still be prevalent today. This means that hackers are more able to decipher new code if they already have access to older source code because the versions will be somewhat similar. If you’re a little hesitant to trust a big software vendor like Norton Anti-Virus, I suggest opting for a free version of anti-virus software. Many people believe that free virus scanning software works just as well, if not better than paid subscriptions.

The issue of online security is growing at an increasing rate. This means, there opportunities for careers in cyber security. Having a degree in cyber security is a great way to protect yourself and others from criminals hacking into personal and confidential information. offshore centre There will continuously be a need for cyber security professionals because this problem will always exist. It’s time to put a stop to these online criminals and if you can be the one to help, we all appreciate your services.

We would like to thank our guest writers on the Online Security Authority Blog! We feel it’s a honor and pleasure, to have others participate and contribute to the great content, advice and opinions on and in this Online World, we all live in… help us, help them, by supporting and visiting their sites!

]]>http://www.onlinesecurityauthority.com/business-security/attention-pc-owners-beware-latest/feed/0Internet Service Providers in my Area: How to Select the Best for a Business Website?http://www.onlinesecurityauthority.com/business-security/internet-service-providers/
http://www.onlinesecurityauthority.com/business-security/internet-service-providers/#respondWed, 25 Jan 2012 07:54:34 +0000http://www.onlinesecurityauthority.com/?p=2865In today’s world most business transactions take place online. Internet service providers play an important role in managing and hosting the business websites. The providers allocate disk space and broadband width to provide trusted Internet connections to their users. It is pivotal to have a trusted Internet service provider to portray a professional image online. Most of the Internet service providers have rooms filled with servers that are used to connect to Internet. These servers are places where the files required to build your website are stored or located. Using the services of an Internet service provider to host a business website is much more practical option then doing it yourself.

Hosting and maintaining servers yourself can be a costly affair. The process of hosting a website is also complex and there is need for the businesses to take such an headache. Even the large companies in your niche are using the Internet service providers in their area to host their sites as the costs are low and rewards are large. Any typical Internet service providers server can host thousands of sites at the same time. Choosing Internet service providers for hosting your website can fall light on the pockets as they charge low monthly fees. Not only the fees but the website can be deemed totally secured when the hosting responsibility lies with the Internet service provider in your area. You will not be harmed by hacking or corruption attempts.

By now you would have understood the value of choosing good Internet service providers (ISPs) for your business. The growth of your business as well as the sales depend on the ISPs. Reputed Internet service providers in any area offer high quality services such as limited downtime. If the ISPs selected is not reputed enough then there are chances that your website will show “Page Not Found” message and other errors more often than not. You could end up losing many customers if this is the state of your website.

So, you must be wondering “what are the features of best Internet Service Providers in my area?”

Limiting the downtime for your business website.

ISPs should have a technical support team that provides help in issues relating to network, website, connectivity and email.

ISPs chosen should offer high value services with low costing service fees.

Compare the bandwidth speeds of the Internet service providers using the online resources. Some ISPs provide faster speeds than the others. Higher bandwidth speed will be ideal choice as they will provide more consistent connections.

There should lesser ratio per modem. This will assure that you get consistent speeds that will not be halted by too much activity.

Online support provided by the Internet service provider is their real test. If the service providers respond promptly to their clients problem and give good technical advice, then they are worth relying upon.

I hope all the aspects of choosing the best Internet service provider in your area in regards to your business website have been answered. Now there is no scope to raise the question “which are the best Internet Service Providers in my Area for my business website?”.

We would like to thank our guest writers on the Online Security Authority Blog! We feel it’s a honor and pleasure, to have others participate and contribute to the great content, advice and opinions on and in this Online World, we all live in… help us, help them, by supporting and visiting their sites!